Authentic Discipleship

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. John 1:37

In our text yesterday, we saw a model of authentic discipleship. Are these six descriptions true for you?

1. Disciples follow Jesus (v. 37). Following for us means following His teach and manner of life.

• Which commands of Jesus are hard for you to accept or follow? Pray for grace to obey His commands and live like Him.

2.  Disciples abide with Jesus (v. 39). The word abide (or stay) will come to mean a great deal more in this gospel. Proofs of abiding in Christ (i.e., proofs that one is truly saved and not just pretending) include obedience to Christ’s commands (John 15:10; 1 John 3:24); following Jesus’ example (1 John 2:6); living free from habitual sin (1 John 3:6), and the awareness of a divine presence within one’s life (1 John 4:13) (https://www.gotquestions.org/abide-in-Christ.html).

3. Disciples are others-focused (vv. 40-41, 45). 

• If disciples make disciples, what keeps you from helping someone else grow? Who can you intentionally help grow as a disciple?

4. Disciples are chosen by God (vv. 43-44).

• How can this knowledge practically give you confidence in discipling others?

5. Disciples believe in the supernatural power of Jesus (vv. 47-50a).

• God is responsible for fruitfulness (read John 15). He grafts us into the vine. He cultivates, cares for, and prunes us. He produces the spiritual fruit.
  We have one responsibility. Abide.

6. Disciples Continue to Grow (vv. 50b-51).

• Growing doesn't simply involve learning more facts or being more faithful to church. Disciples bear fruit and make disciples.

And it's all for God's glory!
Missions exist because worship doesn't. 
And we care about that. So we go and make God's glory known. Disciples make disciples!

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8.